Finally the blue green algae has dispersed in Lake Bullen Merri.

Fishing has been slow but reports of rainbows around the 600g mark being taken on Powerbait are definitely encouraging.

It may take a while for things to get really back into gear at Bullen Merri but if nothing else the algal bloom has at least given the lake a good rest. Keep your ear to the ground for the fishing to pick up over the next couple of months.

The present hot weather may just fire up a few bass. If this happens the reports will soon filter through and there will be plenty of action for both boat and bank anglers.

The fishing at Purrumbete has continued to be on the slow side. Both rainbow and brown trout have been taken but not in big numbers or sizes. Mudeyes under a bubble float, deep trolling and baits suspended just off the bottom have been some of the better methods to take a few trout and redfin. The flyfishers will be seeing more action as the warm weather brings plenty of beetles in the evenings.

With the recent stockings in the lake it is always worth a try trolling a big hardbodied lure. Many big fish in the lake enjoy eating newly-released fish, and will readily take a large hardbody at that time.

A recent survey suggests there are still plenty of big fish in the lake. So go big, you may be surprised.

The bright side of the local fresh scene seems to be the rivers. Yes, I have been pumping up the local blackfish, and there are a few about up to 2kg, but it is the big trout that are coming from the rivers that are keeping some of the locals talking.

Casting hardbodied lures and soft plastics has had its rewards with browns to 3kg being taken. We know there are bigger fish as well.

Grasshoppers are starting to get about again, and after the success had by local flyfishers last year I am expecting a lot more anglers to be out during the heat of the day again this year, floating grasshopper patterns along the grassy banks of the local rivers.

Getting away from the rivers the West Barwon has been fishing very well for small browns and rainbows. As seems to be the pattern at this dam, casting Tassie Devils from the bank seems to be a great way to land a few trout. There are good numbers of redfin in this dam as well.